Have you ever had a realization after the fact? For example, a few days after I wrote:
“Small White Tornado,” I remembered another experience I had that involved meteorologist John Gerard .
If you read that article, then you know I was still in school at that time. I was one of the few students who actually enjoyed night classes. Why? Instead of driving a long way for 3 days, I got it done in one night and one trip. Another plus was that they were held on Mondays and Fridays. These were also my days off from work in the Hematology lab at Baptist Hospital. It worked well until the school changed things.
For some reason, they decided to try an experiment with a night class. Of course, it was Statistics, which was the one I needed to take that fall semester. Instead of it being one night for three hours, they held it on Tuesdays and Thursdays for an hour and a half. To be honest, that really irritated me. Not only did it throw off my usual schedule, but it meant more time on the road. I wouldn’t just be driving from home to school and back home again. Oh no, I would drive home from work and then to school. Once home, I would be in a rush to change clothes, eat a little something, and then head out the door. To be honest, that was just too much. Then I had a bright idea.
I asked my supervisor if I could work over in Phlebotomy for a couple of hours after my shift was over for just that semester. That would put me closer to school. Plus, it meant a little more money and Christmas was three months away. They readily agreed. So, after I left Hematology, I would walk the hospital for 2 hours drawing blood. After I clocked out, I would change clothes and grab a quick bite from the cafeteria. By the way, I was always paranoid about how I smelled. Seriously, Tim often complained how I smelled like a hospital.
One day we got word that WATE was going to broadcast John Gerard’s weather segment from the lobby of the hospital. Naturally, most of the hospital employees were excited. Listen, this was in the late 80s, so there was no social media like YouTube where you could watch anything like this at any time. Best of all, it was to happen on one of the days I worked longer. Bad news, it was close to the time that I needed to leave to drive to school. It was really a conundrum for me. I don’t like to be late for anything, especially church, work or class. When the fateful day arrived, I had decided to take advantage of it and watch the broadcast. After all, I didn’t know if I would ever get another chance to experience anything like that again.
On that fateful day, I decided to stay and watch. That evening, I gobbled down my supper and ran out into the hallway. You see, the lobby was just down the hallway from the lab. By the time I got there, the cameras and lights were sitting in place. John Gerard was standing there with his mike on and waiting for his cue. When he got it, he began talking and gesturing his hands in the air. If you didn’t know what was going on, it would look rather weird. Off to his right side was a TV screen that was showing the radar projected behind him as it was being broadcasted live. As soon as he finished, I changed clothes and ran out the door to my car. Yes, I did arrive a little late to class. After I explained to the teacher why, he smiled and answered: “Don’t blame you. I would’ve done the same.”
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” Isaiah 55:6 (KJV)
The Lord gives us chances to witness to others, help them when we can, and for our salvation. Keep in mind that we never know if we will be given another opportunity, so take advantage of it while you can.
Was I tempted to tell John Gerard I was the one he talked to on the phone earlier that year? I was, but then I realized he may blurt out for all to hear: “Oh yeah! You’re the one who doesn’t know the difference between a dust devil ad a real tornado.”
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.